Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!  For the Lord is a great God.  Psalm 95:2-3.  

The King of kings and Lord of lords alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and glory and eternal dominion.  1Timothy 6:15-16

In the CTK virtual worship last Sunday, we renewed our baptism.  My husband and I, sitting side by side on the sofa, dipped our fingers into a small bowl of water and made a cross on our foreheads, along with many of you who were attending church that day.  A simple but profound act loaded with meaning.  Once again, we were reminded that we had been sealed with the cross of Christ forever.

Baptism is one of the two sacraments, along with Holy communion, in our Lutheran church.  Both of them use physical elements, visible elements that we can see and taste and touch, common ordinary elements that become sacred to us as we participate.  Both are ordered by God and both have the power along with words to promise that we are his children and to forgive our sins and insure that we will have eternal life.  

After Saul was baptized, he became a different person.  He had a different name, Paul, and he had a different mission.  Is it possible that we, as baptized infants, were given a mission?  God said “I have called you by name, you are mine.”  We each do have a mission, a calling, to live as his beloved children, to honor and respect him even as we do our own parents.  And also to thank and praise him as one God, the Father, Son, and Spirit.

Many years ago, we had a baby girl, our second child.  She became extremely jaundiced soon after birth which was due to an ABO incompatibility in her blood.  She needed a complete blood exchange.  We wanted her to be baptized before the procedure.  And so she was.  She was in God’s hand as one of his beloveds.  

I think I do not always think about baptism or take it seriously.  I’m glad I had this reminder.  Let us all remember to “walk wet”.  

Dear Lord, You have provided us with the means to receive eternal life.  Once again, we praise and thank you for all you have blessed us with.  Your love and mercy knows no bounds.  May we be mindful of your presence with us always.  Amen  

Joan Perlich  

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party